234 OP THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 



the matter of divinity : so diligent have men been, 

 either in sowing of good seed, or in sowing of tares. 



Thus have I made as it were a small globe of the in 

 tellectual world, as truly and faithfully as I could dis 

 cover ; with a note and description of those parts which 

 seem to me not constantly occupate, or not well con 

 verted by the labour of man. In which, if I have in any 

 point receded from that which is commonly received, it 

 hath been with a purpose of proceeding in melius, and 

 not in aliud ; a mind of amendment and proficience, and 

 not of change and difference. For I could not be true 

 and constant to the argument I handle, if I were not 

 willing to go beyond others ; but yet not more willing 

 than to have others go beyond me again : which may 

 the better appear by this, that I have propounded my 

 opinions naked and unarmed, not seeking to preoccu- 

 pate the liberty of men s judgements by confutations. 

 For in anything which is well set down, I am in good 

 hope, that if the first reading move an objection, the 

 second reading will make an answer. And in those 

 things wherein I have erred, I am sure I have not pre 

 judiced the right by litigious arguments ; which cer 

 tainly have this contrary effect and operation, that they 

 add authority to error, and destroy the authority of that 

 which is well invented. For question is an honour and 

 preferment to falsehood, as on the other side it is a re 

 pulse to truth. But the errors I claim and challenge to 

 myself as mine own. The good, if any be, is due tanquam 

 adeps sacrificii, to be incensed to the honour, first of the 

 Divine Majesty, and next of your Majesty, to whom on 

 earth I am most bounden. 



